Topaz Tz170b FPGA devkit features hardened LPDDR4 controller, hardened MIPI D-PHY up to 2 Gbps per lane

The Topaz Tz170b FPGA devkit from Efinix is a compact FPGA evaluation platform built around the Efinix Tz170 FPGA. This FPGA is built around a low-power, high-density 16 nm Quantum fabric and comes in a compact 484-ball FineLine BGA package.

The company mentions that the board supports hardware-level MIPI D-PHY with data rates of up to 2 Gbps per lane and hardware-level LPDDR4 memory controller, making it ideal for high-speed embedded systems, vision processing, and custom SoC designs. Additionally, it includes 256 Mbit of LPDDR4 memory, dual SPI NOR flash memories, and high-speed QSE connectors for Efinix or custom daughter cards. Expansion is further enabled by a low-pin-count FMC connector, a microSD slot, user LEDs, and push buttons. Clock options include 33.33, 50, and 74.25 MHz oscillators, and a full range of onboard regulated power sources for stable operations. These features make this device useful for applications like edge AI, machine vision, industrial automation, and consumer electronics, where compact size, flexible I/O, and high-speed interfaces are essential.

Topaz Tz170b specifications:

• FPGA – Efinix Tz170J484 FPGA in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package
  • Based on 16nm Efinix Quantum fabric
  • Hardened MIPI D-PHY interface (up to 2 Gbps per lane)
  • Hardened LPDDR4 memory controller
• Memory – 256 Mbit x32-bit LPDDR4 SDRAM (up to 1.6 Gbps DDR)
• Storage
  • 2x 256 Mbit SPI NOR flash
  • MicroSD card slot
• High-speed I/O
  • 4x QSE connectors for MIPI, LVDS, and GPIO
  • FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) low pin count (LPC) connector
• Clock options – 33.33 MHz, 50 MHz, and 74.25 MHz oscillators
• USB – USB Type-C port for configuration
• Debugging – JTAG header
• Misc
  • 6x user LEDs
  • 2x push-button switches
  • Power good LED
  • FPGA configuration done LED
• Power Supply
  • 12V DC input (via barrel jack)
  • Onboard regulators – 0.62V, 0.85V, 0.95V, 1.1V, 1.2V, 1.8V, 3.3V, 5.0V
• Dimensions – N/A

While writing the specifications, I found it hard to understand the memory specifications, so here is a simplified explanation. development board features a 256 Mbit (32 MB) LPDDR4 memory chip with a 32-bit data bus, enabling fast data transfers up to 1.6 Gbps per data line. Also, there are two 256 Mbit SPI NOR flash devices that provide non-volatile storage for firmware and bitstreams. The QSE connectors provide expansion and interface for MIPI, LVDS, and GPIO.

In terms of software, the J484 Development Kit comes with full software support through the Efinity Software Suite, which is free for one year with the kit. Efinity offers a complete FPGA development toolchain from RTL design to bitstream generation, which includes synthesis, place-and-route, simulation, debugging, and timing analysis. Users can also request an additional year of maintenance at no cost. The software supports the development of custom logic designs and SoC implementations and includes tools tailored to Topaz FPGA interfaces. You can find the software-related information on Efinity Software’s product page.

Previously, we have written about various FPGA development kits, including the recently announced TinyBeast FPGA based on Microchip PolarFire MPF100T or MPF300T FPGA. There is also the Lattice Semiconductor MachXO5D-NX FPGA family, which integrates a hardware root of trust (RoT) into low-power FPGAs. We have also written about the Trenz Electronic TE0950-03-EGBE21A  FPGA evaluation board with AMD Versal AI Edge XCVE2302-1LSESFVA784 SoC FPGA.

The Topaz Tz170b FPGA devkit can be purchased from DigiKey for $400.00. More information can be found on the products page.

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress